The Board of Supervisors of the County of Inyo, State of California, met in regular session at the hour of 9:00 a.m., on Tuesday, February 28, 2006, in the Board of Supervisors Room, County Administrative Center, Independence, with the following Supervisors present: Chairperson Susan Cash presiding, Linda Arcularius, Ted Williams, Jim Bilyeu, and Richard Cervantes. Supervisor Cervantes provided the Invocation, and Supervisor Bilyeu led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Public Comment

The Chairperson announced the public comment period and there was no one from the public wishing to address the Board.

County Dept. Reports

The Chairperson announced the County Department Report period and there were no reports forthcoming.

CAO-Purchasing/ Exam Table P.O.

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to award Quote #04-2005 for and approve the purchase of two medical examination tables from Angelus Medical & Optical Co., Inc., in an amount not to exceed $2,103.30 plus tax. Motion carried unanimously.

HHS-Misc./ Childcare Planning Council Contract

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the Contract between the County of Inyo and the Inyo County Childcare Planning Council to administer a Professional Development Program, in an amount not to exceed $45,000 for the period of March 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007, contingent upon the Board’s adoption of future budgets; and authorize the Chairperson to sign. Motion carried unanimously.

P.W./Maudsley Office Space Lease

Moved by Supervisor Williams and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to approve the second amendment to the Lease with Maudsley Enterprises, Inc., for office space at 787 North Main Street, extending the Lease from March 2, 2006 through June 30, 2007, with two successive options to extend to June 30, 2009, increasing the rent for the Child Support Services space from $3,854 to $4,043 per month and the Probation Office space from $3,965 to $4,212 per month; and authorize the Chairperson to sign, contingent upon the appropriate signatures being obtained. Motion carried unanimously.

HHS-Soc. Serv./ Integ. Case and Eligibility Worker Positions

Moved by Supervisor Cervantes and seconded by Supervisor Arcularius to waive the hiring freeze and authorize the filling of two existing, budgeted positions as follows: (a) one Eligibility Worker I position at Range 56 ($2,581 - $3,136,) or Eligibility Worker II position at Range 58 ($2,703 - $3,228) depending upon qualifications and (b) one Integrated Case Worker I position at Range 60 ($2,836 - $3,443). Motion carried unanimously.

P.W./Addition to Leg. Platform

The Board and Staff briefly discussed the request to add a portion of U.S. Highway 395 between Interstates 80 and 15 as a High Priority Corridor in the National Highway System. Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Williams to amend the Legislative Platform to include supporting the nomination of a portion of U.S. 395 between Interstate 80 and Interstate 15 as a High Priority Corridor in the National Highway System. Motion carried unanimously.

Water Dept./ LORP Update

The Board received a detailed presentation from the Inyo County Water Director, Mr. Tom Brooks, on the LORP Project.

BofS/B. P. Fire Dept. Proposal to Purchase B.P. Library Property

Mr. Mike Carrington, Big Pine Volunteer Fire Department, Fire Commissioner, addressed the Board to provide additional information and further clarification on the Department’s proposal to purchase the Big Pine Library property. The Board and Mr. Carrington discussed the proposal, as well as a variety of other subjects, which could impact the Department’s ability to purchase the property. The Board wished the District good luck in this endeavor.

BofS/Minute Approval

Moved by Supervisor Bilyeu and seconded by Supervisor Cervantes to approve the minutes of the February 7, 2006 Board of Supervisors Meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

Recess/ Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 9:40 a.m., reconvening at 10:00 a.m., with all Board Members present.

BofS/Caltrans Update

Mr. Brad Mettam of Caltrans addressed the Board to offer Mr. Tom Hallenbeck’s apology at not being able to attend today’s Board Meeting, explaining that there had been a fatal accident involving District employees yesterday in the Tehachapi area, which required Mr. Hallenbeck’s attention. Mr. Mettam proceeded to provide a detailed update on Caltrans activities in the region and on the Governor’s Strategic Growth Plan.

Recess/

Reconvene

The Chairperson recessed the regular meeting at 11:00 a.m., reconvening at 11:05 a.m., with all Board Members present.

HHS-Misc./W. S. Public Asst. Pgm.

The Chairperson recessed open session at 11:05 a.m., to convene in a workshop, with Health and Human Services Staff on the Department’s Public Assistance Programs. The Chairperson recessed the workshop and the regular meeting at 12:00 p.m., to reconvene at 1:00 p.m., with all Board Members present.

BoS/TOT Law Enforcement Tax Ballot

The Chairperson opened the public hearing at 1:00 p.m., on a proposed Transient Occupancy Law Enforcement Support Tax. County Counsel provided a brief history of the measure. The Auditor-Controller provided financial data on the current Maintenance of Effort (MOE) for law enforcement. Ms. Judy Fowler of the Lone Pine Chamber of Commerce identified concerns with the specificity of the funding. She suggested that the ballot be for a general tax, that it include parks and campgrounds, and to use some of the money to fund Grants-in-Support recipients. County Counsel explained that to designate the use of the funds makes it a special tax. The Board and Staff discussed the differences between a general tax, which requires 51% of the vote or a special tax, which requires 66-2/3% of the vote for passage. The Board and Staff also discussed the rates charged by surrounding jurisdictions and other tourist based regions. The Chief Probation Officer, and the Sheriff identified the need to secure funding for local law enforcement efforts and commended the Board for their position on this TOT Law Enforcement Support Tax. The Board and Staff continued to discuss the proposed measure. Moved by Supervisor Arcularius and seconded by Supervisor Bilyeu to waive the first reading of “An Ordinance of the County of Inyo, State of California Adding Section 3.202.200 to the Inyo County Code, to Impose an Additional Transient Occupancy Tax at the Rate of Three Percent (3%) for the Purpose of Funding Law Enforcement Services Provided by the County of Inyo;” set March 7, 2006 as the date for the Board to enact the ordinance, and adopt a resolution calling for an election on June 6, 2006 to submit the Transient Occupancy Law Enforcement Support Tax to the voters, and consolidating that election with the Statewide primary election to be held on that date; and direct Staff to agendize recommendations for an argument to be submitted in support of the Transient Occupancy Law Enforcement Support Tax for inclusion in the ballot materials and/or an informational fact sheet concerning the tax. Motion carried unanimously.

Board Members and Staff Reports

The Board reported on their activities during the preceding week, including a report on the Sierra Nevada Conservancy public meetings, a request to agendize discussions on AB-7 and the Governor’s Strategic Growth Plan, a report on the public hearing held in San Francisco regarding insurance rates rule change, a China Lake visit, and a Big Pine Civic Club Meeting.

Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed open session at 2:30 p.m., to convene in closed session, with all Board Members present, to discuss Agenda Item No. 14. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL EXISTING LITIGATION (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a) – Sierra Club v. City of Los Angeles, Department of Water and Power, Inyo County Superior Court Case No. SICVCV01-29768 (1); No. 15. PERSONNEL (Pursuant to Government Code § 54957) – Public Employee Performance Evaluation - Title – Director of Water Department; and No. 16. PERSONNEL (Pursuant to Government Code § 54957) – Public Employee Performance Evaluation - Title – Director of Health and Human Services.

Report on Closed Session

The Chairperson recessed closed session at 5:20 p.m., to reconvene in open session, to receive a report on closed session. County Counsel reported there were no items discussed in closed session, which were required by law to be reported on in open session.

Adjournment

The Chairperson adjourned the regular meeting at 5:20 p.m., to 9:00 a.m., March 7, 2006, in the Board of Supervisors Room, at the County Administrative Center, in Independence.